Internal-combustion-engine power plant



Jan. 27, 1931. H. A. DOUGLAS INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE POWER PLANT Filed June 14, 1929' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 27, 1931. DOUGLAS I 1,790,265 Q INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE POWER PLANT.

Filed June 14, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I r- @Joagha Patented Jan. 27 1931 max A. DOUGLAS, 01' BBOIISOH', IIOHIGAJI INTPJNAL-OOKBUSTION-ENGINE POWER PLAN '1 Application filed Inc 14, 1929. Serial Io. 870,870.

My invention relates to power plantsemploymg internal combustion en 'nes and relates to mechanism that is used in governing the throttle valve or choke that controls 6 the admission of air to the carburetor, and aso to the switching mechanism employed in governing relation to the circuit of the electric motor that serves to start the engine.

. In carrying out one of the features of my 1 invention I employ a manually governed element and a cam governed by this element and which is in controlling relation to the switch of the electric motor. This cam. is

coupled with a link that extends to the throt-.

tle valve, this link being preferably in the form of a steel wire passing through a suitable conduit. When the cam is moved in one direction by th aforesaid manuall operable element, which may be a rotatab e lever mounted upon the upper side of the hand operated steering wheel, the circuit of the starting motor is established, the ignition switch having been previously closed. In this movement the cam also serves to operate the throttle valve to the extent desired and determined by the extent of movement of the cam. When the hand operated element is moved in the reverse direction the cam is operated to close the motor circuit, but is then in lost motion relation with the means that operates the throttle valve so that the wide open position of the throttle valve is not then disturbed. The present invention is another embodiment of the invention generically claimed in my copending application Serial No. 370,867 filed'June 14, 1929. .In my copending application Serial No. 370,866 I have disclosed reciprocable means for governing the controlling circuits of an internal combustion engine and have therein claimed the same broadly and specifically. My present invention simplifies the mechanism which couples the cam with the link that extends to the throttle valve. In the present invention I establish connection between the cam and a part that moves bodily with the link that extends to the throttle valve. This part is preferably a pin engaging a slotted portion of the cam and this pin is desirably 'ven a straight line of movement, so that it Wlll have lation with the link throu h the intermediation of the pin is prefera 1y a cam that is also in controlling relation to the switch a that controls the circuit of the starting motor, I do not wish to be limited to such a double function of this element.

The invention will be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawmgs in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view illustrating a hand 0 erated steering wheel, a steering shaft opera 1e thereby, a rod passing through the steering shaft and mechanism at the lower end of the rod which is in governing relation to the mechanism that controls the starting switch and the throttle valve, other parts that are in assembly with the aforesaid parts being also illustrated; Fig. 2 isa bottom view, on a smaller scale, il-

lustrating parts shown in Fi 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 0 Fig. 1; Fig. 4: 1s a sectional view on line H of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the power plant of an automotive vehicle, an automobile, equipped with the apparatus of my invention. I V

The power plant illustrated includes an internal combustion engine 1 which is in driv- 'ing relation with the engine shaft 2. Such anengine is ertuipped with any well known or suitable car uretor such as that indicated at 3. Gasoline or other liquid fuel is supplied to the carburetor through the pipe 4 and the air which is to be carbureted is admitted at the air inlet 5. A throttle valve 6 is disposed in this air inlet to regulate the volume of air which is permitted to flow into the carburetor. The carbureted air is supplied to the manifold 7 and isthere distributed to the cylinders. A throttle valve 8 governs the volume of carbureted air that flows through the manifold. The en 'ne illustrated hasfour cylinders and eac cylinder has a sparking plug 9. One terminal of each sparking plug is grounded and the other terminal is connected with the corresponding stationary contact 10. These stationary contacts are arranged in a circle upon whose tains said nose in engagement with said cam When it is not desired to choke the center a distributing arm 11 turns to briizg duced winding 12 of the transformer. This windingis grounded through the circuit in-' terrupter 13. The contacts of the lnterrupter are shunted by a condenser 14. The primary 15 of the transformer 12 has one terminal connected with one terminal of the transformer 12 and its other terminal con-' nected with thestationarily mounted switch c0ntact16. A manually operated switch arm 17 may be brought into and out of engagement with the contact 16 to close and open the ignition circuit. This switch is grounded throu h a battery 18. The switch in the circuit 0 the electric starting motor 19 is inclusive of a contact 20 which is also grounded through the battery 18, a contact 21 permanently connected with one of the terminals of the motor, this motor being grounded and a bridging contact 22which is adjustable into and out of engagement with the contacts 20 and 21. The contact 22 is provided upon a carriage 30 which has aligned slots 31, 32'

which receive guiding pins 33 and 34. These slots and pins are radially aligned with the center of the cam wheel 35. Said carriage has a rounded nose 30 which rides upon t e arcuate cam portion 32 and cam rise or dwell 35' of the cam wheel 35. A spring 36 mainportions. air inlet 5, the handle 36' is turned clockwise from the idle or oil position-illustrated. In being so turned the handle turns the hollow rod 37 upon which cam wheel 35 is fixed. Rod 37 passes through the bore of the hollow steering shaft with which the hand steering wheel 39 is coupled. Another circuit controlling rod 38 passes through rod 37. The nose 30 then rides directly onto the left hand end of cam rise or dwell 35' out of the cam depression 35 to engage contact 22 with contacts 20 and 21 to close the starting motor circuit. 7 L

When the air is to be choked the cam wheel 35 is sufficiently turned counterclockwise from its off position upon a corresponding turning movement of the hand lever 36 the nose 30' of the carriage 30 riding upon cam portion 32 and ultimately engaging the right hand end of the cam rise35, whereupon the bridging contact 22 is engaged with the contacts 20 and 21 to complete the establishment of the starting motor circuit. Shortly prior to the closure of the contact 22 against the contacts 20 and 21 on the counter-clockwise movement of cam wheel 35, that is while the nose 30 is riding upon the cam portion 32 that is between the ends of the cam dwell 35', the pin 40 is engaged with the wall 41 of a bayonet slot, this wall pertaining to one branch of this slot that is radially aligned with the center of the wheel 35. This pm is carried by a sliding straight bar 42 which is secured to and constitutes an enlargement of the wire link 43 that s coupled with the throttle or choke valve 6. The wire passes through a guiding conduit 44. Said bar slides within the bore of a straight guiding sleeve 45. The rotary motion of the cam wheel is thus translated into a straight line of movement of the bar, so that the bar is pulled upon in the direction in which the adjacent end of the Wire 43 is to move in order to turn the valve 6 in a closing direction to enrich the mixture before the starting motor circuit is closed.

The pin 40 enters the radial portion of the bayonet slot that has the wall part 41, whereby the pin may move radially with respect to the wheel while the pin is given a straight line bodily movement by the turning of the wheel. After the engine has been properlystarted, the hand lever 36 is turned clockwise to bring the carriage nose 30 either into the cam depression 35 or the cam depression 35 to open the switch and secure corresponding adjustment of the throttle valve.

When the wheel 35 is turned'clockwise from the off position to start the engine without adjusting the throttle valve, the remaining bayonet slot branch 46 in the cam wheel 35 receives the pin v40. This slot branch is arcuate and concentric with the wheel, so that the pin 40 is in escaping re.- lation with the cam wheel when this wheel is turned in a clockwise direction from off position to merely close the starting motor circuit. Such movement of the rod 37 in a clockwise direction from the normal position may be only slight in order quickly to effect the closure of the starting switch inasmuch as the throttle valve 6 is not then adjusted. The movement of the cam wheel 35 in a clockwise direction is limited by the' engagement of the pin with the right hand end of the slot portion in the sleeve 45 through which the pin projects. Movement of such wheel in a counterclockwise direction is limited by the engagement ofsaid pin with the inner end of the radial branch of the bayonet slot.

The rod 38 is employed to govern the circuits of the head lamps 47, the parking lamps 48 and the tail lamp 49. These instrumentalities have stationary contacts 50 and 51 pertainingto the head lamps 47, the contact 52 pertaining to the parking lamps 48 and the contact 53 pertaining to the tail lamp 49. An insulating contact carrier 54 is fixed upon the lower end of the rod 38 and carries the fingered contact plate 55. By suitably turning the handle 38 upon the rod 38 the circuits of the instrume-ntalities 47, 48 and 49' may be controlled, as will be obvious by inspection of Fig. 6, the dimming resistance being included gnomes in circuit with the head lamps when the conv tact 51 is in circuit and the contact 50 is out of circuit in order to dim the light furnished by the lamps 47.

The rod 38 is desirably also axially movable to which end the hand lever 38 also constitutes a push button. When this rod is depressed upon the depression of the push button, the contact plate 55 is moved downwardly against the force of the upwardly spring pressed contact 57 whereby the circuit of the horn 58 or other signalling device is established, this circuit being traceable from the grounded horn through the cylindrical contact 59, the plate 55 then enga ing this contact, the spring pressed contact 5 and the grounded battery 18.

The starting means illustrated is very well known and needs no description.

Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

.1. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; operating means for adjusting the throttle; a link connected with and connecting the throttle and said operating means; and substantially straight guiding means constrainin place of connection of the aforesaid lin with the operating means to a substantially straight line of travel.

2. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; a link connectedat one end with the valve; a. cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relation thereto to operate the valve; and substantially straight guiding means for confining the place of engagement of the link with the cam to a substantially straight line of travel.

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; rotary operating means for adjusting the throttle; a link connected with and connecting the throt tle and said operating means; and substantially straight guiding means constraining the place of connection of the aforesaid link with the operating means to a. substantially straight line of travel.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air; carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; a link connected atone end with the valve; a rotary the cam at the other end of the link and in actuatin relation thereto to operate the valve; and an stantially strai ht guiding means for confinin the place 0 engagement of the link wit the cam to a substantially straight line of travel.

5. The combination with an internal com bustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulatifi the supply of air to the carburetor; a li connected at one end with the valve; a cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relation thereto to operate the valve; substantially strai ht guiding means for confinthe cam to'a substantially straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means.

6. The combination with an internal bustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; rotary operating means for adjusting the throttle; a link connected with and connecting the throttle and said operating means; substantially straight guiding means constraining the place of connection of the aforesaid link with the operating means to a substantially straight line of travel;'an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means. I

7. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; a link connected at one end with the valve; a rotary cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relation thereto to operate the valve; substantially straight guiding means for confining the place of engagement of the link with the cam to a substantially straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means.

8. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; operat-,

com

- motor circuit; and an actuating member com- 9. The combination with an internal com bustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; a link connected at one end with the valve; a cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relation thereto to operate the valve; substantially straight guiding means for confining the place of engagement of the link with the cam to a substantially straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch-in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member to said switch and the throttle adjusting means, said throttle adjusting means having two ranges of movement in one of which it is in controlling relation to the link, and in the other of which it is in escaping relation to the link, said switch being operable by the aforesaid common actuating member when moving the throttle adjusting member in either range,

10. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; rotary operating means for adjusting the throttle;

a link connected with and connecting the throttle and'said operating means; substantially straight guiding means constraining the place of connection of the aforesaid link with the operating means to a substantially 7 straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means, said throttle adjusting means having two ranges of movement in one of which it is in controlling relation to the link, and in the other of which .it is in escaping relation to the link, said switch being operable by the aforesaid common actuating member when moving the throttle adjusting member in either range.

11. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve .for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; a link connected at one end with the valve; a rotary cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relatiomthereto to operate the valve;

substantially straight guiding means for controlling the place of engagement of the link with the cam to a substantially straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means, said throttle adjusting means having two ranges of movement in one of which it is in controlling relation to the link, and in the other of which it is in escaping relation to the link, said switch being operable by the aforesaid'common actuating member when moving the throttle adjusting member ineither range.

12. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle Valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; o erating means for adjusting the throttle; a link connected with and connecting the-throttle and said operating means; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to'start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means, said throttle adjusting means havlng two ranges of movement in one of which it is in controlling relation to the link, and in the other of which it is in escaping relation to the link, said switch being operableby the aforesaid common actuating member when moving the throttle adjusting member in either range, there being means preventing operation of the switch while the throttle is being adjusted and eiiecting closure of thd switch after closing adjustment of the throttle.

13. The combination'with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating.

the supply-of air to the carburetor; a link connected at one end with the valve; a cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relation thereto to operate the valve; substantially straight guiding means for confining the place of engagement of the link with the cam to a substantially straight line I of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and

an acuating member to said switch and the throttle adjusting means, said throttle adjusting means having two ranges of moveating member when moving the throttle adjust-ing member in either range, there being means preventing. operation of the switch while the throttle is being adjusted and etfecting closure of'the switch after closing adjustment of the throttle.

14. The combination with an internal com-- bustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve forv regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; rotary operatil g means for adjusting the throttle; a link connected with and connecting the throttle and said operating'means; substantially straight guiding means constraining the place of connection of the aforesaid link with the operating means to a substantially straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating member common to said switch and the throttle adjusting means, said throttle adjusting means having two ranges of movement in one of which it is in controlling relation to the link, and in the other of which it is in escaping relation to the link, said switch being operable by the aforesaid common actuating member when moving the throttle adjusting member in either range, there being means preventing operation of the switch while the throttle is being adjusted and effecting closure of the switch after closing adjustment of the throttle.

15. The combination with an internal combustion engine; of a carburetor through which air, carbureted thereby, is supplied to the engine; a throttle valve for regulating the supply of air to the carburetor; a link connected at one end with the valve; a rotary cam at the other end of the link and in actuating relation thereto to operate the valve; substantially straight guiding means for controlling the place of engagement of the link with the cam to a substantially straight line of travel; an electric motor in driving relation with the engine to start it; a switch in controlling relation to the motor circuit; and an actuating, member common to said switch and the throttle ad'usting means, said throttle adjusting means aving two ranges of movement in one of which it is in controllin relation to the link, and in the other of w ich it is in escaping relac valve, and received in the other branch of said slot to effect operation of said valve.

17. The structure of claim 15 wherein the 7 link operating means is inclusive of a slot I having angular branches, one substantially arcuate and concentric with the axis of rotation and wherein the link has a in engaging said slot, and received in t e arcuate branchof the slot'to prevent operation of the having angular branches, one substantiallyarcuate and concentric with the axis of rotation and wherein the link has apin engaging said slot, and received in the arcuate branch of the slot to prevent o ration of the valve, and received in the ot er branch of said slot to effect operation of said valve and wherein there is a substantially straight guiding means constraining the pm to a substantially straight line of travel.

19. The structure of claim 15 wherein the link operating means is inclusive of a slot having angular branches, one substantially arcuate and concentric with the axis of rotation and wherein the link has a pin engag: ing said slot, and received in the arcuate branch of the slot to prevent operation of the valve, and received in the other branch of said slotto effect operation of said valve.

and wherein there is a substantially straight guidin means constraining the pin to a substantia ly straight line of travel.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

' HARRY A. DOUGLAS.

tion to the link, said switch being operable by the aforesaid common actuating member when moving the throttle adjusting member in either range, there being means preventing operation of the switch while the throttle v is being adjusted and efiecting closure of the switch after closing adjustment of the throttle.

16. The structure of claim 11 wherein the link operating means is inclusive of a slot having angular branches, one substantially arcuate and concentric'with the axis of rotation and wherein the link has a pin engaging said slot, and received in the arcuate branch of the slot to prevent operation o? the 

